Innovation
Harnessing extensive research and development efforts, Dragonfly Energy bridges the gap between the lab and production. By meticulously utilizing our scientists’ expertise and cutting-edge instrumentation for data collection and analysis, we translate insights into real-world battery cell production. Our data-driven approach has allowed us to optimize dry electrode manufacturing processes for various battery types, ensuring we deliver optimal performance and characteristics required for various end markets and applications.
Materials Characterization
Battery Cell Science
Data Science & AI Machine Learning
Manufacturing Innovation
Process Development
A Look Inside Dragonfly Energy’s Battery Research and Development Labs
Instrumentation
Dragonfly Energy leverages a suite of world-class instrumentation from leading manufacturers such as Bruker and Tescan. This enables us to explore the intricate details of lithium-ion batteries at the atomic and molecular level, providing unparalleled insights for next-generation energy storage solutions.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Utilizing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we continue to acquire profound insights into the internal mechanisms of our lithium battery cells.
NMR applies a strong magnetic field and radio waves to investigate battery materials at the atomic level. By observing the response of these atoms, we can track lithium ions as they shuttle between electrodes during charging and discharging (intercalation). This real-time analysis unveils the presence of lithium in various forms, whether it be metallic or salt, providing crucial information on battery performance and degradation. This non-destructive technique is vital in our quest to optimize battery design and advance development.
Electron
Microscopy (EM)
Advanced Electron Microscopy (EM) techniques, specifically Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), are powerful tools that allow us to visualize the internal structure of battery cells at the sub-nanometer level. While lithium-ion batteries operate on a larger scale, the atomic and molecular interactions occurring at the nanoscale are critical for optimal performance.
Through STEM, we have the ability to directly observe the fine-scale structures of electrode materials and track how they evolve during charge and discharge cycles. This high-resolution imaging provides invaluable insights.
X-Ray
Diffraction (XRD)
Employing X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) is yet another way we analyze our lithium battery cells. This non-destructive technique offers a unique perspective on the crystallographic structure and phase transformations occurring within the electrodes during charge and discharge cycles. XRD can be utilized in both reflection and transmission modes, providing valuable insights into the average crystal structure changes throughout a battery’s operation.
Notably, XRD is one of the few techniques capable of identifying the specific location and occupancy of lithium ions within the electrode’s molecular lattice. With this detailed information, we have developed a more profound understanding of how lithium interacts with electrode materials.
Data Science & AI Machine Learning
Dragonfly Energy is at the forefront of advancing battery technology by integrating Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our research. This powerful duo analyzes vast datasets we’ve generated in the lab. By identifying patterns and relationships within our data, ML models can predict cell performance, project lifecycles with greater accuracy, and pinpoint factors influencing battery health.
ML and AI techniques grant us the capabilities to optimize battery design, identify potential degradation mechanisms early on, and ultimately develop lithium-ion batteries with extended lifetimes and enhanced performance.